Buildings and Cities

When done right, cities can become regenerative to the environment and human well-being.

Dense urban human settlement – the cities of the world and the buildings and infrastructure that comprise them – account for a significant percentage of human energy use, mostly for heating and cooling; ergo, they are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Project Drawdown has identified, measured, mapped and modeled several solutions that address the operating inefficiencies of dwelling in and using buildings, and of living in cities.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Plan to Insulate

Upgrade My Windows

#31 Insulation

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Upgrade My Windows

Choose LED Bulbs

#33 LED Lighting (Household)

I will replace (___) incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Choose LED Bulbs

I'll replace

incandescent lightbulbs

Research Heat Pumps

#42 Heat Pumps

I will spend at least (___) minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Research Heat Pumps

I will spend at least

minutes researching

Express My Support

#54 Walkable Cities

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Replace Manual Thermostats

Go by Bike

#59 Bike Infrastructure

I will commute by bike (___) mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Go by Bike

I'll commute by bike

miles per day

My car gets

miles per gallon

Express My Support

#59 Bike Infrastructure

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Express My Support

I will contact

public official(s)

Tour a Green Roof

#73 Green Roofs

I will set up a visit to tour a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Tour a Green Roof

Research Retrofitting Incentives

#80 Retrofitting

I will spend at least (___) minutes finding out if my city, region, or state offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Research Retrofitting Incentives

I'll spend

minutes investigating

Online Energy Audit

Multiple Solutions

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Online Energy Audit

Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

All Buildings and Cities Solutions

I will spend at least (___) minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings and Cities Solutions.

Our challenge levels are determined by four factors involved in completing the action - time, cost, knowledge, and skills. While these factors may vary by participant, the challenge level can help you choose which actions fit best with your lifestyle and goals.

Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

For 25 years, we have given you a fun and social framework to discover new ways to live, work, create, and consume. We empower you with inspiration and tools to create positive action in your community, your workplace, your school, and your world.